Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY254656 Inspection date 05/01/2011 Inspector Pamela Bailey

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband who is registered as a co-childminder, and their daughter aged nine years in the London Borough of Croydon, close to shops, schools, parks and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of seven children under eight years at any one time when working with another childminder, of whom, no more than six may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collects children to the local nursery school and attends several children groups on a regular basis. She also takes children to the local parks and library. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder promotes many aspects of children's welfare, learning and development with success. Through a constant process of self evaluation, planning and continual professional development the childminder strives to ensure that her provision is focused on the needs of the children in her care. Children are safe and secure, enjoy their learning and are well equipped with the skills they need to secure future learning. Overall, effective relationships have been established with parents/carers.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 19/01/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 prompt older children?s thinking and discussion by talking about what they have been doing and help them to reflect upon, predict, explain and order events This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  improve opportunities for parents be involved in the decision making about the provision  established effective working relationships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care for children attending other settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has a concern about a child in their care. She is vigilant about safety and carries out regular and thorough checks of the premises to avoid dangerous situations and minimise risks to children. Although the childminder keeps a record of risk assessments these do not include all the information as stated in the specific legal requirement. All adults working with children hold a current first aid certificate. This means they can give appropriate care if there is an accident.

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the early years provision

Engagement with parents/carers is well established and makes a strong contribution to children's achievements and well-being. There are clear accessible channels for parents to communicate with the childminder. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child and are provided with information about how well their child is achieving. Parents receive newsletters, written policies and procedures and daily feedback. This ensures that parents have coordinated, up-to- date, accurate and timely information. The childminder seeks the views of parents through parent questionnaires. Letters received from parents include positive comments in respect of the good service provided by the childminder and achievements their children have made. However, opportunities to actively involve parents in contributing to the decision making about the provision have not been fully explored. The childminder has informal discussions with other providers

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the early years provision

delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage but has not yet established effective working relationships to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care for children attending other settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is conducive to learning, safe and well cared for. The resources support children's learning and development and children achieve well. Assessments are evaluated against the six areas of learning as children progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder plans a variety of practical activities based on children's individual needs and understands what children learn from them. The childminder is very committed to improving her knowledge base and that of adults working with the children. She has recently achieved a level three qualification in Children's Care, Learning and Development and is currently working towards the Early Years Foundation Degree. She is a member of the Croydon Childminding Association Committee and attends the 'Best Practice forum', and uses this as a strategy to improve the service that she provides. She makes best use of the local community facilities such as children centres, library

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the early years provision

and toddler groups to extend children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

Effective steps have been taken by the childminder to evaluate the provision for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's welfare, learning and development. This gives the childminder a good understanding of her strengths and areas for improvements. The action taken is effective in terms of improved provision and outcomes for children. For example, the childminder has created a designated play area for the children. This ensures that resources are readily available at all times and children are able to independently select and make choices. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed which have resulted in improved partnership with parents and children's safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy personal relationships, are polite and comfortable with adults. They play well with each other, use their own initiative to instigate activities and respond enthusiastically to adult-led activities and routine tasks. Their confidence and self- esteem is built up by the childminder who is sensitive to their needs and know them well. They are supported well to take care of their personal needs and learn to keep themselves safe, For example, washing their hands before eating, practising the emergency evacuation procedures and road safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with the level of challenge that will sustain their interest and enjoyment. They are keen to communicate through signs, gestures and talk. However, the childminder does not always prompt older children's thinking and discussion through appropriate questioning in order to encourage children to use talking to connect ideas, explain what is happening and anticipate what will happen next. Activities such as story time, rhyme time and puzzles are used well to support children to count, recognise shapes, colours, size and problem solve.

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and outcomes for children

The garden and local community is used well to stimulate children's interest in the natural world and features of the local community. They collect leaves, twigs and petals to create pictures and use their hand prints to make the leaves of a tree. Their understanding of differences is supported as they take part in different celebrations and festivals. Children enjoy indoor physical activities, such as playing tennis which helps to develop their hand-eye coordination. Their physical development is further extended as they use a range of equipment at the local parks and in the garden. Children participate enthusiastically in action songs, dancing and draw freely. They learn to apply paint in different ways during creative activities which helps to develop their imagination. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse and neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (Also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 19/01/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 taken action as specified under the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safeguarding children). 19/01/2011

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